Mrihani x Opal F4 Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Origin: Philomath, Oregon

Improvement status: Breeding population

Seeds per packet: ~60

Germination tested 11/2023: 78%

Life cycle: Annual

From our seed source, breeder Frank Morton: "When we first grew 'Mrihani' basil three years ago the toothy savoyed leaves reminded me of 'Ruffles' basil. I wondered if I might recreate 'Purple Ruffles' by crossing 'Mrihani' with Opal basil. Sure enough, the F1 cross looked like a giant version of 'Purple Ruffles' with an extraordinary aroma completely unlike Ruffles. In 2017 the F2 generation segregated into purple, green, and variegated types with big toothy savoyed leaves, and the same color range with smaller, flatter, dentate leaves. These seeds are for the F4 generation which will show all of this variation and more. Growers in areas afflicted by downy mildew will likely find resistance in this population when the disease comes to call. Saving seeds of these resistant plants will put a grower on the path to progress. Farm Original Variety! (Thank you to Tiffany Noe for this photograph.)

This variety carries the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) pledge, which states: “You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict other's use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.” More information on OSSI can be found at osseeds.org.

Mrihani Opal Vinegar Recipe

For a salad vinegar with a dramatic magenta-cherry color and spiced fruity aroma, soak 1-2 tablespoons of dried leaves of the dark purple plants from this mix with a pint of white basalmic vinegar. Allow to sit 24 hours, then screen out the leaves. Beautiful beyond belief in a bottle with olive oil."